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The union Unite has accused Royal Bank of Scotland of “turning its back on local communities” with the announcement five branches across Fife are to close.

RBS plans to close branches in Elie, Aberdour, Crail, Kelty and Newburgh between August and September, blaming changes in customer habits for the move.

The 80 per cent taxpayer-owned bank said customers will be well served using alternative ways to bank, including online and mobile banking.

Rob McGregor, Unite national officer for finance, said: “By continuing to close local branches, the Royal Bank of Scotland is turning its back on both the skilled and experienced staff who have been striving to keep it on the road to recovery, and local communities.

Unite supports the bank in its efforts to find new ways to reflect customer needs, but this cannot be at the expense of the local branches our communities depend on.”

RBS announced in February plans to close 99 branches this year, having closed 144 branches in 2014.

The bank warned in a full-year results announcement in February it expected restructuring costs in 2015 would be “materially higher” with “substantial” job cuts to come.

RBS reported a £3.5 billion loss for the 2014 year, taking total losses reported since the 2008 banking crash to almost £50 billion.

The bank noted in February restructuring costs this year will reflect “core bank transformation”.

Unite called for a “proper consultation period” with RBS to open negotiations “about how the business will be restructured”, given RBS has already cut more than 30,000 jobs globally since 2008.